The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-10-04
A row ovER LANGrRY.
Fred May and a New Orleans Gambler
Exchange the Lie
From the Philadelphia Press

From the Philadelphia Press.
New YORK, Sept. 2T.-That imperturb-
able and blase man-about-town, Fred Nav,
had about as close call the other night in
one Of his numerous escapades up town as
he is ever likely to have again, and get
clear with his life. He has pulled himself
out Of good many scrapes, but the last
one was considerably more dangerous at
one period of the row than any of his recent
escapades. Perhaps the best known New
York gambler, and man who never speaks
in superlatives, said in relation to the mat
ter tonight: MAY came as near losing his
life as possible, considering the fact that he
was not touched. He was nearer to the
verge than l ever want to be-
The row was in Valkurbaugh's saloon.
which is next door to the Hoffman House and
under the Albemarle Hotel, and the princi-
pals were Fred May and Mike Duffy. May
is a man of the world in every sense, has
hosts Of friends, and despite no end of talk
he is unquestionably man of high personal
courage. His name has been familiar all
over America ever since his duel with
James Gordon Bennett. His latest escapade
was smashing in the door of an inoffensive
citizen named Bates, who lived in the
Berkeley apartment house, Newport.
Mike Duffy is regarded as the most dan
perous man in New Orleans. He is about SO
wears old, of erect carriage and handsome
presence. He dresses faultlessly, is slim,
dignifed and quiet. He wears a moustache;
he is Typical gambler, cold, calm, resolute
and dangerous He is on here on a visit,
and he sat in Valkenburghs saloon at a
very early hour this morning with several
friends when Fred May walked in. Detec-
tive Sergeant Hickey, Harry Perry, Paul
Arthur, the actor, and half a dozen men
about-town were entertaining Duffy May
Joined the group. He was introduced to the
Southern gambler, but he either did not
catch his name or did not know who he
was.
After talking while the men fell to try
ing different feats of strength, such as put
ting down arms. twisting coins, lifting
chairs and the like. In all the contests
Mays tremendous muscles placed him ahead
OF the others Duffy sat and smoked as he
watched these different amusementS, and
finally some one mentioned the name of
Mrs. Langtry and the crowd fell to discuss
ing the latest creation of the Jersey Lily,
AS in a Looking Glass" After they had
talked few minutes May drew himself up,
and, dropping his fist on the table, said:
81 don't care to have that lady discussed
here" staring sharply at Duffy, who hap
pened to be speaking at the time.
Duffy looked across the table at Mr.. May
a moment and then said: Mrs. Langtry is
a public character she advertises herself as
such forces herself down the public throat
and as such any man in the world has the
right to discuss her in public whenever and
wherever he chooses"
mo man can do it here" said Mr. May,
ssvagely.
''Oh, yes he can" drawled the Souther-
ner, quietly. II can and | will. ! have a
good mind to send around to her house now
and see if she won't go out to supper with
me" Duffy leaned forward, with his elbows
on the table, and stared directly in the eyes
of MAY, and both the men sat looking at
each other, while the others pushed their
chairs back from the table. There was a
moments silence and then May said taunt-
tngly; "Oh, no, you won't"
"Yes, will, said the other. You are a
liarl' shouted the New Yorker.
The men jumped to their feet and Sergt.
Hickey threw himself on May, who jumped
toward Duffy. Capt Morgan, who was
also in the group, took Duffy's arm and at
tempted to draw him away. Duffy shook
him loose and walked up in front of May,
who lowered above him, and said to Hickey
and the other men who were holding May
back: ''Let,go of the big stuff. He is rank
coward and a liar He is afraid you will let
him 60. II you take your hands of him he
won't come near me-" He stood with
IN nail a 1oot OF May lace ana Jaunted
him in the quietest manner in the
world Men who knew Duffy made up
their minds that the jig was up with May,
for there is no questions about the tactics of
a man who has made the reputation that
Duffy has in land where the revolver is
the gamblers bible. The others held May
back and forced him slow4i towards the
door, while Duffy walked slo ly after him.
haunting and insulting him as he went
Finally the proprietor of the place got a
hearing, and the men were taken away by
their friends
Harry Perry and Hickey then quarreled
and Perry was knocked down. Two police
men arrested the detective sergeant, but re-
leased him on the way to the station house